Variational Estimates for the Effective Response of Shape Memory Alloy Actuated Fiber Composites

Abstract

The homogenization procedure of Ponte Castañeda is used to estimate the effective behavior of active composite materials consisting of aligned shape memory alloy (SMA) fibers embedded in a linear elastic matrix. Results are presented for thermal activation of the SMA with various applied tractions on the composite. While increasing stiffness of the matrix phase inhibits the contraction of the SMA, the simulations indicate that the use of a prestress in the manufacturing of the composite may provide an increase in the response time of the system without reducing performance.